New municipality of Orne, in Normandy, Tinchebray-Bocage takes place at the limit of the department of Manche, west of Bocage flérien. She was born in January 2015 from the merger of Beauchene, Frenes, Larchamp, Saint-Cornier-des-Landes, Saint-Jean-des-Bois, Tinchebray and Yvrandes. It is located eighty kilometers from Alençon, not far from Cerisy-Belle-Etoile and Saint-Christophe-de-Chaulieu.
The territory of Tinchebray-Bocage was formerly located near the ancient road that connected Augustodurum (Bayeux) to Vieux-la-Romaine. The latter formed the limit of the current delegated communes. The population was particularly famous between 1793 and the Consulate, integrating into groups of Norman chouannerie. Many battles took place not far from the city, causing the deaths of many chouans and other soldiers.
Long known for ironwork, the region turned to hardware in the nineteenth century, and now accounts for 80% of French production of garden tools and 25% of the building hardware.
Fortified Romanesque church, the chapel Saint-Rémi Tinchebray is now listed as an historic monument. Built in the twelfth century, it was greatly reworked during the Hundred Years War. Inside, one can admire murals of St. Martin, St. Joseph, and a Charity of St. Martin. It was long at the heart of the defense of the chouannerie at the end of the eighteenth century.
Also listed, the Notre-Dame des Montiers church in Tinchebray dates back to the 11th century. The current building was built in the 16th century with a 17th century bell tower. Its furniture comes partly from the abbey of Belle-Etoile and the old church of the town. It is thus possible to admire beams of glory, stalls of the eighteenth century, a statue of abbot of the fifteenth century, or statues of St. Peter and St. Paul of the sixteenth century and seventeenth century.
Textile factory, the spinning of Rochefort, in Tinchebray, is today registered with the Historical Monuments. Built in the second half of the nineteenth century, it presents old machines of origin.
From the 14th century, the Notre-Dame d'Yvrandes church is listed as an historic monument. Installed on the highest point of the town, it has the form of a chapel without transept or aisles.
It also registered with the Historical Monuments with its hall and its court, the royal prison of Tinchebray was built in the first quarter of the XVIIe century. The ensemble is now used as a museum, showing the cells that remained in their original state, graffiti from the end of the 18th century, the jailer's house or objects from the beginning of the 20th century, as well as headdresses and lace.
A defensive dwelling inscribed in the Historical Monuments, the manor house of the Guyonnière was built at the end of the XVIIe century and was a high place of the Norman chouannerie. A square and squat granite dwelling, it still reveals fire mouths on the staircase and period door joinery.
While strolling on Saint-Cornier-des-Landes, do not miss to visit the museum of the nail and the house of the clog maker to learn a little more about the craftsmanship of formerly.
Remains of mills and other factories are still visible in Frênes, Larchamp or Tinchebray. A pedestrian path allows to discover a part of the heritage of the new municipality.
The Tinchebray Market is held every Saturday morning in the High Street.
Mid-October, place at the fair of Saint-Luc with his garage sale.
From mid-December to early January, it is possible to admire a Christmas nativity scene, as well as illuminations.
